General Information
Admission
|
Adult |
Children
(ages 6–15)* |
|
| Individual |
¥700 |
¥300 |
|
Group
(cost per guest) |
¥630 |
¥270 |
20–99 guests |
| ¥560 |
¥240 |
100–299 guests |
| ¥490 |
¥210 |
300+ guests |
*Children aged 5 and under enter free.
Matsumoto residents may enter the Honmaru Garden free with proof of residence. (Castle entry requires purchase of an admission ticket.)
Visitors with disabilities (plus one caregiver per visitor) may enter free with presentation of a disability certificate.
During the extended summertime hours (mid-August), visitors in yukata or other traditional Japanese clothing may enter the castle for free.
Hours
Matsumoto Castle is open year-round except between December 29 and 31.
| Regular Hours |
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(last entry at 4:30 p.m.) |
| Golden Week Extended Hours |
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(last entry at 5:30 p.m.) |
| Summer Season Extended Hours |
On average, visitors spend between 45 and 60 minutes inside the castle.
During Golden Week (April 29–May 5) and the Obon holiday (mid-August), the castle can become very crowded. To ensure visitor safety, limits may be placed on the number of people allowed inside the castle at a single time. When waiting to enter, please adhere to the queue route that leads through the Honmaru Garden. Visitors touring the garden should be aware that some areas may be restricted due to the queue.
Matsumoto Castle’s Omotenashi Squad
Between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., figures dressed as nobles, ninja, and samurai can be seen strolling through the Honmaru Garden. This is the castle’s Omotenashi Squad, a group of performers who represent some of Matsumoto’s famous historical figures. Feel free to photograph them, have them photograph you, or even take a photo together as a souvenir of your castle tour. (Times are subject to change depending on the weather.)
Please Note:
- The Great Keep is a six-story building with steep, narrow stairs and no elevator. To preserve the castle’s historic architecture, no accessibility features have been added. Reaching the sixth floor requires ascending approximately 140 steps with a maximum grade of 61°.
- Shoes must be removed inside the castle. Bags are distributed at the castle entrance, and guests should place their shoes in a bag and carry them while inside.
- The red Uzumibashi Bridge at the rear of the castle is closed. Visitors must enter the grounds through the Kuromon Gate in front.
- Pets are prohibited in the Honmaru Garden and inside the castle. This includes pets in carriers and bags. Certified service dogs are allowed, but permission must be obtained in advance from the castle management office.
- Guests who leave the castle grounds will not be readmitted without paying for reentry. Please do not attempt to come and go freely, even if you have paid the admission fee.
- Please refrain from bringing outside food within the castle grounds. Ice cream and cold drinks are available for sale at the castle’s gift shop.
Gifts and Souvenirs
The castle gift shop is located in the Honmaru Garden. It offers a wide range of exclusive Matsumoto-themed foods, crafts, and apparel.
Castle Informational Pamphlet
